The United Kingdom has transferred the Chagos Islands to Mauritius on Thursday. The islands had been part of the kingdom since 1965. They were separated from Mauritius at that time, which was then a British colony.
The Chagos Islands are located in the Indian Ocean, more than 9,000 kilometers away from the UK. Since Mauritius became independent from the British in 1968, it has claimed the islands as its own territory. The British bought the islands at the time for 3 million pounds, but according to Mauritius, it was forced into that deal in order to gain independence.
Since 2022, the governments of the UK and Mauritius have been negotiating the transfer of the archipelago. Last October, both countries reached an agreement. The agreement was ratified on Thursday with the signature of Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
The British do retain the right to continue occupying a military base on one of the islands. The UK pays Mauritius 101 million pounds (120 million euros) annually. The Americans are also allowed to use the base.
Not everyone is enthusiastic about the transfer. People who were born on the Chagos Islands but live in the UK are afraid that they will no longer be able to return to their native land.
British politicians fear that an important military base will come under the influence of China or Russia. Mauritius wants to cooperate more with those two countries.